Light shading and directing device



Feb. 13, 1951 E. L. BLACKMAN LIGHT SHADING AND DIRECTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 2, 1947 FIGI- FiGB Patented Feb. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHT SHADING AND DIRE'GTING DEVICE Edward L, Blackman, Locust Grove, Conn. Application October 2, 1947. Serial No; 777,544.

Claims. (01.. 240-78 1, An object of this invention is to'provide an improved construction of a portable shade for use where hidden or partly obscured lights direct their glow downward through an aperture, as in passenger aircraft.

A further object of this invention is to provide a light shade which may be quickly and easily attached and removed and Which will concentrate and restrict light rays to a desired zone or object and prevent the spreading or scattering of the rays to other zones or objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light shade so constructed that it will adhere closely to any flat surface on which it is placed and will not easily or accidentally be dislodged by reason of its being brought into contact with any object and from any angle,

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal cross section of the shade attached over the opening of a hidden ceiling or wall light;

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a modified form.

Referring to the drawing, l is a light socket receiving a light bulb 2; 3 is a section of a nontransparent ceiling or the like into which has been cut a light transmission aperture 4 covered by a glass protector or lens 5'. The base of the lamp shade 6 terminates at its inner end in an annular vacuum ring I. This base 6 is preferably constructed of the usual semi-soft rubber such as will readily allow compression of the vacuum cup when placing thedevice on a flat or even a slightly curved surface so that it will adhere to the surface due to outside air pressure when the compression is released. To the outer enclof the shade base is secured. a soft, pliable and compressible rubber tubular member 8-. The auxiliary cone or bell-shaped rigid shade and deflector 9 is made so that its integral collar Ill may be removably attached to the sponge or other soft rubber tube 8 by slipping it over the outer end of the said tubecompressing the tube slightly-and is held in place by the friction of the sponge rubber and the collar ID of the shade.

In operation, when it is desired to further restrict light from a hidden wall or ceiling light, the base 6 of the shade is centered over the hidden light source and pressed firmly against the wall or ceiling so that air is forced out of the annular vacuum ring 1. When pressure is released from the base 6 it will remain attached to the wall or ceiling by the said vacuum ring.

' should the shade 9 be pushed or jarred, and by such action protecting any undue strain on the baseG and suction ring I thus greatly reducing the chanceof dislodgment of the vacuum ring 'Hrom the wall or ceiling to which it is attached. A- certain degree of lateral adjustment of the shade 9 is also provided by'reason of the resiliency and compressibility of the said member which permits the shade to be set thereon at various angles, and 'as the said member 8 isheld inthe collar lll'un'dercompression it will at all times exert outward pressure on. the interior of the collar to maintain a sufiicient holding frictional coaction.

In the modificationof Fig. 2, the tubular connecting member I l'is flared outwardly and downwardly'and the collar I2 is flared inwardly and upwardly to corresponcl'therewith. This form not only gives better light transmission but also a more secure engagement between the collar and the connecting member and betterconnection between shade !3 and. its support. Anannularbeadfl lon the exterior ofthe part-II prevents thecollar from being moved up or working u too far on this part.

Itwill be understood that the interior surfaces. of the shade and of connecting portion as well maybe coated-with a reflective substance such .as aluminum paint or enamel.

Various other modifications in the exemplaryv embodimentherein shown and described may be made without departing from-the scope and purport of-the invention.

Whatl claim is:

1. In a device of the character described,- adapted for: use in' combination. with a: nontransparent ceiling or the like having a relatively smooth outer surface and an aperture therein with a source of illumination on one side thereof, a hollow annular resilient base of nontransparent compressible material for a light shade adapted to surround said aperture on the side opposite said source, a hollow annular foot for said base of compressible material open outwardly and adapted to be pressed against said outer surface into close contact therewith and form therewith an airtight seal against external air pressure which will cause adhesion between said surface and foot and an outwardly daring light shield positioned and held on said base by frictional coaction between them, an outwardly extending tubular extending portion of said base of resilient compressible non-transparent material and a rigid collar on said shade adapted to be forced over and to compress said extending portion to establish and maintain said frictional coaction and support said shade thereon.

2. In a device of the character described, adapted for use in combination with a non-transparent ceiling or the like having a relatively smooth outer surface and anaperture therein with a source of illumination on one side thereof, a hollow annular resilient base of non-transp compressible material for a light shade adapted to surround said aperture on the side opposite said source, a hollow annular foot for said base of compressible material open outwardly and adapted to be pressed against said outer surface into close contact therewith and form therewith an airtight seal against external air pressure which will-cause adhesion between said surface and foot and an outwardly flaring light shield positioned and held on said base by frictional coaction between them, an outwardly extending tubular extending portion of said base of resilient compressible non-transparent material more compressible than the material of the base, and a rigid collar on said shade adapted to be forced over and to compress said extending portion to establish and maintain said frictional coaction and support said shade thereon.

3. In a device of the character described, adapted for use in combination with a non-transparent ceiling or the like having a relatively smooth outer surface and an aperture therein with a source of illumination on one side thereof, a hollow annular resilient base of non-transparent compressible material for a light shade adapted to surround said aperture on the side opposite said source, a hollow annular foot for said base of compressible material open outwardly and adapted to be pressed against said outer surface into close contact therewith and form therewith an airtight seal against external air pressure which will cause adhesion between said surface and foot and an outwardly flaring light shield positioned and held on said base by frictional coaction between them, an outwardly extending tubular extending portion of said base of resilient compressible non-transparent material and a rigid collar on said shade adapted to be forced over and to compress said extending portion to establish and maintain said frictional coaction and support said shade thereon, said extending portion of the shade being composed of sponge rubber and said base proper being composed of solid rubber fused thereto.

4. In a device of the character described, adapted for use in combination with a non-transparent ceiling or the like having a relatively smooth outer surface and an aperture therein 4 with a source of illumination on one side thereof, a hollow annular resilient base of non-transparent compressible material for a light shade adapted to surround said aperture on the side opopsite said source, a hollow annular foot for said base of compressible material open outwardly and adapted to be pressed against said outer surface info close contact therewith and form therewith an airtight seal against external air pressure which will cause adhesion between said surface and foot and an outwardly flaring light shield positioned and held on said base by frictional coaction between them, an outwardly extending tubular extending portion of said base of resilient compressible non-transparent material and a rigid collar on said shade adapted to be forced .over and to compress said extending portion to establish and maintain said frictional coaction and support said shade thereon, said collar being adjustable on said extending portion to provide lateral adjustment of the shade.

5. In a device of the character described, adapted for use in combination with a non-transparent ceiling or the like having a relatively smooth outer surface and an aperture therein with a source of illumination on one side thereof, a hollow annular resilient base of non-transparent compressible material for a light shade adapted to surround said aper'iur on the side opposite said source, a hollow annular foot for said base of compressible material open outwardly and adapted to be pressed against said outer surface into close contact therewith and form therewith an airtight seal against external air pressure which will cause adhesion between said surface and foot and an outwardly flaring light shield positioned and held on said base by frictional coaction between them, an outwardly extending tubular flaring portion of said base of resilient compressible non-transparent material and an inwardly converging rigid collar on said shade adapted to be forced over and to compress said extending portion to establish and maintain said frictional coaction and support said shade thereon, said tubular bass portion having thereon an external projection to limit the inward movement of said collar.

EDWARD L. BLACKMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

